Transnasal Humidified Rapid-Insufflation Ventilatory Exchange (THRIVE)

The SHANA Education Board would like to offer the fascinating report by Drs. Patel and Nouraei from The Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital, London, U.K. By delivering transnasal high-flow humidified oxygen (Transnasal Humidified Rapid-Insufflation Ventilatory Exchange, THRIVE) to 25 patients with difficult airways, the authors were able to extend median apnea time to 14 min. No patient experienced arterial desaturation below 90%.

The “next big thing” in airway management is coming. Or is it? Is the problem with oxygenation during anticipated difficult airway management solved?

The OptiFlow nasal cannula system (Fisher and Paykel Healthcare Limited, Panmure, Auckland, New Zealand) has now been approved for use in the U.S. Watch out for a flurry of research activities around this topic!
 

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